Transportation in Paranagua & Ilha do Mel

Getting to Paranaguá & Ilha do Mel is easy with many transportation options available. The island has virtually no roads, and is connected to the rest of the world by regular boats from Paranaguá or Pontal do Sul.

Transport on this virgin island is old fashioned. People travel by foot or on bicycles that can be rented at local stores or at some pousadas.

Our Ilha do Mel & Paranaguá transportation guide below will tell you all you need to know about getting to and getting around Paranagua & Ilha do Mel. To help you see and experience the best that these beautiful destinations have to offer, we have many Paranaguá & Ilha do Mel tours and activities available. We also have some great general travel information about getting to, from and around Brazil.

Ilha do Mel & Paranaguá Transportation Guide

Getting there

By air

The nearest airport is in Curitiba (CWB). Paranaguá is 94 km from Curitiba and can be reached by road, bus or train. Pontal do Sul is 115 km from airport.

Visit our partner Air Valid for Airline Reviews and Information about Brazil.

By road

Estrada da Graciosa (PR-410)

If you are coming by car, a wonderful way to reach Paranaguá or Ilha do Mel is via the scenic road "Estrada da Graciosa". To reach it you need to leave Curitiba towards São Paulo on BR-116 or BR-376. Be aware of this road, as there are many trucks in transit here! Some kilometres after passing Quatro Barras, you will see the sign for "Estrada da Graciosa" and a portal in colonial style. From here until Morretes you will drive along an ancient road paved with asphalt and stones. Make sure you plan plenty of time so you can enjoy the landscapes along this road. You can make stops to rest and take photos. Before reaching Morretes you will pass through São João da Graciosa and Porto de Cima. Plan a stop in Morretes to try "barreado", the typical dish of Paraná: beef stew served with rice and bananas.

Highway BR-277

If you are arriving late or do not want to take Estrada da Graciosa, another option is BR-277. From downtown Curitiba follow the signs to Jardim Botânico and BR-277 to Paranaguá. Keep alert for the road sign "Paranaguá", as this highway does not cross the city and the other direction is "Ponta Grossa or Foz do Iguacu" - completely the wrong direction!

This is a toll-road and it costs about R$13/car. There are many trucks on this road as well - be careful!

The road ends in Paranaguá, but if you wish to go to Ilha do Mel, the easiest way is from Pontal do Sul, as boats depart from there at least every hour during the day. Follow the road signs to "Praias" and Pontal do Sul. The island is 30 minutes away from Pontal do Sul and a 90 minute boat ride from Paranaguá.

By bus

From Rio, São Paulo and Santos there are buses leaving for Paranaguá on a regular basis. Bus companies Pluna, Penha and Itapemirim drive to Paranaguá.

From Curitiba there are buses to Pontal do Sul and Paranaguá daily. Such buses are from the bus company Graciosa and leave from the main bus station (Rodoferroviária) in Curitiba.

There are buses leaving from Morretes to Paranaguá daily. There is also regular van service starting from Morretes to Pontal do Sul (weekends and high season). From there you can take the boat to the island. This service must be reserved some days in advance. From Morretes to Paranaguá there are public buses several times a day (1 hour drive). Please contact us for details.

In Paranagua the rodoviária (bus station) is located a couple of hundred metres from the Jesuit College and the pier to the islands.

By train

You will find the most scenic railroad in Brazil linking Curitiba to Morretes through the Atlantic Rain Forest. Built at the end of the nineteenth century, it is a masterpiece of engineering. The special deluxe train "Great Brazil Express" with only 22 seats and air condition stops in Santuário do Cadeado and only leaves Curitiba on Saturday and Sunday. The regular train runs daily until Morretes and only on Sundays until Paranaguá.

Three blocks from the waterfront on Avenida Arthur de Abreu is the train station with a tourist information office. Maps, hotel lists, information on boats, buses and trains can be obtained from there.

Check out our tour options starting from Curitiba: train tour Curitiba Morretes.

By boat

You can only reach Ilha do Mel by boat from Paranaguá or Pontal do Sul.

From Paranaguá there are regular boats leaving from near the Ethnological Museum (tourist info office) two to five times a day depending on the season. It takes 90 minutes to reach the island. If you come by car and want to leave your car there, parking in Paranaguá is a bit complicated and expensive. It is recommended leaving your car in a parking lot.

From Pontal do Sul there are regular boats leaving every hour on the hour in low season (April to October) and every half hour in the high season (November to March). Boats usually operate  from 7am to 5pm. If you intend to arrive later contact us in advance, so that we can arrange a private boat to pick you up in Pontal do Sul. In Pontal do Sul there are several parking lots charging around R$ 12 to 15 per day.

On the island: there are so called "moto-táxi" that can be taken in Brasilia, Fortaleza (Fortress) and Encantadas. They can take you to the other side of the island or to the neighbour islands like Ilha das Peças or Superagui. Be sure there are safety vests on board and ask for the price in advance. They use to charge a fix price for the boat and it can be divided into the persons on board. It is worth to ask if other people are interested in sharing it!

Getting around

By bus - Paranaguá

There are buses throughout Paranaguá which link other towns on the coast and to Curitiba daily. But time schedules are not very trustworthy and unless you have a reservation or plenty of time on your hands, you should book a private car which we can help you with.

Walking - Ilha do Mel

On Ilha do Mel there is a network of sandy trails. The narrow isthmus on the southern side of the village centre (Nova Brasilia) serves as the starting point of all these trails, and it is a dreamy two hour journey through the lush Atlantic rainforests to Ilha do Mel. If you plan to go to the fortress or to Encantadas or Brasilia, you can take a boat-taxi if you do not want to walk back.

By car - Paranaguá

Driving in Paranaguá is very easy and convenient, but be aware that there are many trucks due to the harbour! Remember that drinking and driving in Brazil is not allowed (0% alcohol in your blood)!

If you are coming from Curitiba, it is less expensive to rent a car there and then head to Paranaguá.